SHERRY
“If penicillin can cure those who are ill, Spanish sherry can bring
the dead back to life” Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955)
MANZANILLA, SAN LEON
FINO, MARISMEÑO
AMONTILLADO, NPU
< Elegant bone-dry Manzanilla with beady, almond notes and a light salty tang >
< Fuller , richer and oilier than Manzanilla but still deliciously dry >
< a great maturity, nutty, complex and élégant >
PALO CORTADO, REGENTE
< velvety oak with notes of fruitcake and almonds >
PEDRO XIMENEZ, CARDINEL CISNEROS
< rich, unctuous, raisined fruit, full bodied with balanced acidity >
3.75
3.95
4.45
4.75
4.95
SPARKLING
“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking:
the arrival of a friend, one's present or future thirst,
the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.” Latin Proverb
PROSECCO DI CONEGLIANO-VALDOBBIADENE, AA Bellenda
Veneto, Italy
30.00
< Subtle and elegant, a delicate mousse - dry with keen citric freshness and notes of apple skin and ripe pear >
CHAMPAGNE
"In Success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it,"
Winston Churchill understood the true value of Champagne
JEAN-PAUL DEVILLE CARTE NOIR Brut NV
Verzy
38.00
< From a rising star of the region, a fine, balanced Champagne with apple and brioche notes >
RUINART, ‘R’ DE RUINART NV
51.00
Reims < Floral notes to the fore and hints of white peach and acacia on the palate. An excellent aperitif wine >
RUINART ‘BLANC DE BLANCS‘ NV
63.00
Reims < Supremely elegant, beautiful luminosity and striking brilliance >
RUINART ROSÉ NV
63.00
Reims < Vigorous and rich with a well-balanced palate this is a fine, smooth, and supple wine with notes of morello cherry >
[ Ruinart - the oldest established Champagne house, exclusively producing champagne since 1729 ]
Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most
natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than,
possibly, any other purely sensory thing.
Ernest Hemingway
WHITE
“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine
washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each
shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to
make plans.” Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
France
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE BLANC, IGP d’Oc
South West France
CHARDONNAY, Domaine Nordoc
Languedoc
38.00
< Beautifully crafted Sauvignon, aged on the “fine lees” to give the wine added richness and distinctive smokiness.
Broadening and ripening in the mouth with a full tangy grapefruit and red apple finish >
CONDRIEU, Domaine du Monteillet 2012
Rhone
35.50
< A few miles south of the Cote D’Or, fresh in youth yet rich with age being sheathed in sympathetic oak >
POUILLY-FUME, Jean-Claude Dagueneau, Domaine des Berthiers 2012
Loire
32.00
< Notable minerality, piercing citrus acidity of grapefruit and lime, filling out to exhibit complexity & roundness >
RULLY 1ER CRU, “RABOURCE”, Domaine Belleville, Burgundy 2012
Burgundy
30.00
< Melted butter, nuts, caramel and toast, think Burgundy, particularly Mersault and halve the price >
SANCERRE, Domaine Gerard Fiou
Loire
27.50
< Generous on the palate, just off dry with a hint of sherbet lemons about it! >
CHARDONNAY ‘TOQUES ET CLOCHERS’, Les Caves du Sieur d’Arques
Limoux
25.50
< Second wine of legendary Mas de Daumas Gassac, rich silky texture and vibrant, clean freshness >
PINOT GRIS RESERVE, Domaine Albert Scherer
Alsace
24.00
< Aromas of elderflower cordial, Victoria plums and hints of grass and gooseberry fool on the palate >
VIOGNIER CHARDONNAY, Reserve de Gassac, IGP de l'Herault
Languedoc
22.00
< A modern classic from and ancient grape, sea scented, clean, crisp and dry with spicy aniseed bouquet >
SAUVIGNON DE TOURAINE, Domaine Guy Allion
Loire
21.00
< Unoaked, and the better for it, apple and pear fruit with a smokey yeasty finish >
PICPOUL DE PINET, Château de la Mirande
Languedoc
17.50
.
55.00
< Such heavenly charm & character, the description “fine wine” seems woefully inadequate. This wine is full-bodied,
vinous & spicy with vanillin notes, dried citrus fruits & apricots. Something to slow-down & savour >
Bond has just been surprised by the double agent, Grant –
“Red wine with fish. Well that should have told me something”
Bond in From Russia with Love (1963)
Italy, Spain & Portugal
There is no such witness as a good measure of wine.
Spanish Proverb
PINOT GRIGIO, Trefilli IGP
Veneto, Italy
22.00
< Orchard fruits, a touch of marzipan, mouth-filling with pleasant balancing acidity >
RIOJA BLANCO ‘TREMENDUS’, Bodega Classica
Rioja, Spain
24.00
< Pleasing ripe pear fruit with contrasting sherbet acidity and herbaceous notes >
VINHO VERDE BRANCO, Aphros Louriero {Biodynamic}
Minho River, Portugal
< Benefiting from gentle sunshine and the cooling microclimate of the Atlantic, the wine is
26.50
vibrant & fresh with notes of mandarin and grapefruit >
GAVI DI TASSAROLO, Cinzia Bergaglio 2012
Piemonte, Italy
27.50
< This wine is a fine example of a less well known region pushing their more illustrious neighbours. Richer
and more floral than Gavi di Gavi this wine is a worthy accompaniment to fish, pasta and risotto.
VERMENTINO DI GALLURA ‘GEMELLAE’, Cantina Sociale Gallura
Sardinia, Italy
28.00
< This island wine is delicate and persistent with an almost Viognier like bouquet, dry and delicious
with zesty lemon-and-lime acidity and subtle mineral notes >
[‘in vino veritas’ – in wine there is truth]
New World
CASA AZUL, SAUVIGNON BLANC
Central Valley, Chile
20.00
< Fragrance of white flowers and tropical fruits, fresh, light and youthful >
‘BUSH VINE’ CHENIN BLANC, Winery of Good Hope Stellenbosch, South Africa
22.00
< Ripe apples and quince notes, rich, spicy & honeyed but with a mineral undertone >
SAUVIGNON BLANC, Framingham Estate 2011,
27.50
Marlborough, New Zealand < Very much more than a ‘Bay’ pretender, flavours of white currant, capsicum & a mineral finish >
EVOLUTION 15TH EDITION, Sokol Blosser NV - Oregon, USA
Oregon, USA
{Organic}
32.00
< A blend of 9 different grapes, all of which play their part in creating this off dry merry-go-round of
smells and flavours. Wonderfully flavoursome and aromatic, it has snap, spice and zing >
[“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation.
The universe is too full of stars” Benjamin Franklin, circa 1700’s]
ROSÉ
[ It was 26 centuries ago, when the Greeks founded a colony in Marseille, that the first vines and
wine growing were introduced in Provence ]
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE ROSE, Vin de Pays d’Oc
18.50
Languedoc, France
COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE, Carteron “Elegance”
25.00
Provence, France < From vineyards ½ an hour Ferrari ride from St Tropez, the epitome of summer chic >
Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid
sin and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved.
Medieval German Saying
RED
France
‘Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of
doors by some body I do not know’ - John Keats
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE ROUGE, IGP d’Oc
South West France
17.50
.
SYRAH GRENACHE, St Cirice, Château St Cyrgues
Rhone
19.50
< A baby Rhone, an engaging nose of blueberries and blackcurrants, notes of cocoa and spice on the finish >
MERLOT, Domaine Nordoc
Languedoc
20.00
< Bags of mulberry fruit, sweet cherry and plum, not jammy but with savoury notes and a mellow green tanins >
CAHORS ‘MALBEC’ HERITAGE, Château du Cedre
South West
{Organic}
PINOT NOIR, Domaine La Bousolle
Languedoc
26.50
< A summer pudding, bright berry fruits with a splash of cream.- fresh on the palate with light-to-medium body >
BOURGUEIL CABERNET FRANC, Domaine de la Chevalerie
Loire
{Organic}
27.50
< Famed for being found in the house of Thomas Jefferson, a long history for a classic Rhone blend of Syrah
and Grenache. Aromas of violets, soft black fruits, some spice and silky tannins >
BERGERAC MERLOT MALBEC, Chateau Tour des Gendres
South West
{Organic}
69.00
< One of the oldest estates in the Medoc, the name is derived from one of the battles that took place during the
100 years war where the chateau stands today. Mostly cabernet sauvingnon this wine is expressive and
alluring with fresh acidity under the fruit and green tannins >
GEVREY-CHAMBERTAIN 1ER CRU, Domaine Heresztyn 2007
Burgundy
42.00
< Second wine of the legendary Château Graud Larose, this wine exhibits all the class one would expect. Cassis
& pencil box aromas give way to a supple palate with good fruit, balanced tannins and firm structure on the finish>
PAUILLAC ‘5 eme’ GRAND CRU, Chateau Batailley 2007
Bordeaux
37.50
< Full of Southern French sunshine this wine packs a delicious punch. Tobacco, leather, pine and dried fruits,
a wine that sits up and begs for rich, hearty winter food >
SAINT-JULIEN, Sarget Gruaud-Larose 2008
Bordeaux
30.50
< This encapsulates the virtues of mature Pinot Noir with a fascinating bouquet of preserved berry fruits,
mushroom, fresher berry notes and hints of undergrowth - give it the bird >
BANDOL ROUGE, Domaine La Suffrene
Provence
28.50
< As nature intended, organic, unfiltered and unfined - a wine with nowt taken out. Great value, think Bordeaux
but halve the price. Crunchy berry fruit, leafy forest notes and a gentle tannic grip >
BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR, Domaine Remoissent
Burgundy
25.50
< A team favourite; this green and peppery red benefits from ‘organic’ grapes - the crucial ingredient for great
wine and is perfect with lighter meats, game and hard cheeses >
COTES DU RHONE, Domaine Chapoton
Rhone
24.00
< A savoury expression of the Malbec grape - inky/spicy with dried fruit character, reminiscent of spongy fig rolls,
with suggestions of fresh tea/ tobacco/ menthol. Cassoulet, duck confit, onglet ……… >
75.00
< Florence Heresztyn runs the estate, highly regarded for its Gevreys. A vivid ruby-red wine. Stunning bouquet of
myrtle, blackberries, sloes and bramble. Floral notes of violets and jasmine, a sustained palate with exquisite
finesse and length >
“Bacchus we thank who gave us wine, which warms the blood within our veins.
That nectar is itself divine.
The man who drinks not, yet attains by godly grace to human rank would be an
angel if he drank”
French drinking song – Pierre Motin
Italy & Spain
“[I]t is the wine that leads me on, the wild wine that sets the wisest man to sing at the top of his lungs,
laugh like a fool – it drives the man to dancing... it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told.”
- Homer, The Odyssey
MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO, Cantina Frentano
Abruzzo, Italy
RIOJA TINTO, Vina Albergada
Alavesa, Spain
23.50
< From Tempranillo, the great red grape of Rioja, in the ‘Joven’ style (unoaked). Bursting with layers of sweet
damson, soft plum & black fruits intermixed with subtle spice. A simple pleasure >
CHIANTI DEI COLLI SENESI, Cantine Vittorio Innocenti
Tuscany, Italy
20.00
< Not afraid to be bold! Plum skinned fruit allied to leathery warmth with an all over chocolate layer. Dark and
full-bodied with a big gush of prunes, plums, dark cherries and a dry peppery-spice finish to keep it in check >
27.00
< Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo Toscano, this is classic Chianti. A lovely, meaty style of wine with spicy,
cherry, roasting herbs, leather and liquorice flavours >
RIOJA GRAN RESERVA, Bodegas Benito Urbina 1999
33.00
Rioja Alta, Spain < Wonderful mature Rioja that benefits from its extended ageing. The wine itself is pure, smooth, elegant and long
with a delightful nose of plums, beeswax and fine sweet oak. A favourite with the experts and wine-drinkers alike >
[Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach - Spanish Saying]
Romania
PINOT NOIR Calusari
Banat, Romania < Vibrant, strawberry and cranberry aromas balanced with earthy pinot flavours. A real stunner >
21.50
New World
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Casa Azul
Central Valley, Chile
19.00
< Cherry scents and a hint of chocolate. On the palate it has some richness and soft tannins. A bit bolder
than an easy drinker and with an underlying structure, ideal with a burger, sausages and cheese >
MALBEC, Santa Julia {Organic}
Mendoza, Argentina
21.00
< An iron fist in a velvet glove. Very much the grape the of the moment, this offers a nose of sweet violets
and berry fruit, ripe fruit flavours of cherry and plum with deeper fig, raisin and chocolate >
CABERNET SHIRAZ, Wangolina
Mount Benson, Australia
PINOT NOIR, Petit Clos
27.50
< Two of the most popular grapes of Australia combine to produce an ‘Aussie’ red that will always
deliver. Luscious dark fruits, pepper and spice with an enticing “cookies and cream character”>
{Organic}
30.50
Marlborough, New Zealand < Great Pinot Noir, as grown in Burgundy, is all about subtlety and understatement, not lashings
of oak. Here we have a superbly elegant wine that achieves exactly that >
["I think it is a great error to consider a heavy tax on wines as a tax on luxury.
On the contrary, it is a tax on the health of our citizens." - Thomas Jefferson]
Californian scientists have finally found the perfect ‘terroir’ after years of
painstaking research for making wine. “It’s called France” one said.
ANON
SWEET WINE
“Wine is bottled poetry”
Robert Louis Stevenson
MONBAZILLAC, Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure
(half bottle)
16.00
South West France < Monbazillac is the original French sweet wine appellation and is situated in the heart of Bergerac.
From the same grapes as Sauterne utilising the ‘noble rot’. Honeyed fruit with a golden lemon seam >
SAUTERNES, Château Filhot
(half bottle)
29.50
Bordeaux, France < Sheer nectar ! The nose is rich and aromatic with notes of honey and citrus fruits. On the palate,
creamy and well-rounded with further tropical fruit and vanillin notes >
WINES BY THE GLASS
Sparkling
125ml
PROSECCO, AA BELLENDA - Veneto, Italy
White
5.00
175ml
250ml
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE BLANC, Languedoc, France
4.10
5.85
SAUVIGNON BLANC, CASA AZUL, Central Valley, Chile
4.75
6.75
CHARDONNAY, DOMAINE NORDOC, Languedoc, France
5.00
7.15
CHENIN BLANC, WINERY OF GOOD HOPE, Stellenbosch, South Africa
5.20
7.50
PICPOUL DE PINET, CHATEAU DE LA MIRANDE, Languedoc, France
5.40
7.75
PINOT GRIGIO, TREFILI, Veneto, Italy
5.25
7.30
SAUVIGNON DE TOURAINE, DOMAINE GUY ALLION, Loire, France
5.70
8.00
4.50
6.80
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE ROUGE, Languedoc, France
4.10
5.85
MERLOT, DOMAINE NORDOC, Languedoc, France
4.65
6.50
SYRAH GRENACHE, CHATEAU ST CYRGUES, Rhone, France
4.70
6.90
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CASA AZUL, Central Valley, Chile
4.85
6.75
MALBEC, SANTA JULIA ORGANICA, Mendoza, Argentina
5.00
7.15
PINOT NOIR, CALUSARI, Banat, Romania
5.20
7.50
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO, CANTINA FRENTANO, Italy
4.85
6.95
RIOJA TINTO, VINA ALBERGADA, Alvesa, Spain
5.25
7.50
Rosé
BERGERIE DE LA BASTIDE ROSE, Languedoc, France
Red
Sweet
MONBAZILLAC, DOMAINE DE L’ANCIENNE CURE, South West France
6.00
DOW’S RUBY PORT
4.50
WARRES CAVADINHA, 1998
7.60
[ If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good? Cardinal Richeleu ]